Thursday

The New Hanover Wildcats were up first. They quickly jumped on New Bern with three goals and coasted to a 3-0 victory over the Bears.

New Bern is a different team than the one that lost on that Mar. 21 evening in Wilmington.

Part of the reason is the continued improvement of the underclassmen.

Aside from six seniors, the Bears have two freshmen, six sophomores and three juniors contributing.

New Bern (13-6-1) has won six games in a row, and looking to advance to the state semifinals.

But first, it has to get past Mideastern Conference foe New Hanover (14-5-2). The Bears will play at Legion Stadium in Wilmington in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 4A state soccer playoffs at 7 p.m. on Friday.

The winner will move on to play either Green Hope or Leesville Road in the state semifinals.

“(New Hanover) is a good team,” said sophomore midfielder Rachel Hobbs. “They definitely can score, but we have a lot of faith in our defense. I think we are able to score goals on them, so hopefully that will help us win.”

“I’m adjusting pretty well,” said Allen. “You have to work harder and always have a good game. We control the ball, possess it and pass it out to the sides a lot.”

The Bears have outscored their opponents, 20-1, over the past six games.

“The two freshmen that start for us -- Mikayla Allen and Lindsay Johnson -- both on the left side, people may think I am kind of crazy for starting two freshmen on the outside, but they are both quality players,” said New Bern coach Tim Guter. “I think Karlie Swindell has matured into a very good player. Rachel Hobbs, I pulled her out of her normal position of forward and put her on the outside, so she’s adjusted to that very well.

“Keely Klicker has come into her own and I told Lindsay Johnson that she is a seasoned varsity player.”

New Bern, the third seed from the Mideastern Conference, traveled three-plus hours to defeat Pinecrest, 1-0, on Wednesday. Senior Brittany McLawhorn netted her 18th goal on the year.

“The girls, their desire is one game at a time,” said Guter. “I don’t think anyone on the team wants it to end. They are willing to do what it takes.”

New Hanover (14-5-2), the No. 2 seed from the Mideastern Conference, beat Laney 4-0 on Wednesday to advance.

New Bern and New Hanover played each other two times this season. New Hanover won 3-0 in March. The teams tied, 1-1, on Apr. 18.

“We know each other,” Guter said. “I communicated with their coach, and he said, ‘I really didn’t want to have to play you guys again,’ but he’s has happy we advanced.

“I’m the same way. I really didn’t want to play New Hanover again, but we are both looking forward to it.”

Adam Thompson can be contacted at 252-635-5669 or at Adam.Thompson@newbernsj.com. Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_matic.

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